SANO TAKACHIKA: A MASTERFUL FIGURAL BRONZE STUDY OF A BATHING NUDEBy Sano Takachika, signed Sano TakachikaJapan, c. 1890-1910, late Meiji period (1868-1912)Well cast and with finely incised details, the massive two-colored bronze statue depicts a Japanese maiden gently resting on a rocky bank while admiring the flowing waters below her. The reverse of the rock with an impressed artist’s cartouche bearing a four-character signature SANO TAKACHIKA.HEIGHT 34 cmWEIGHT 10.4 kgCondition: Superb condition with only minor wear and traces of use. Fine, naturally grown black patina to the figure, enhanced by a distinct copper-tone at the base.Provenance: From a private estate in New York, USA.Sano Takachika was a celebrated and accomplished artist and by 1894 a member of the Tokyo Chokokai (Tokyo Carvers' Association). His works are held in important private and museum collections, such as the Khalili collection.Auction comparison:Compare with a closely related bronze study of a standing nude by Okazaki Sessei, at Bonhams, 18 June 2007, San Francisco, lot 6015 (sold for USD 102,000).